Home

New to Me is a series here at The Nerds Templar where we discuss a film that has been out for a while. It’s most likely available on home video or streaming services, but it’s our first time seeing it. Hence, it’s “New to Me“!

Just in time for Halloween Arrow Video has out a new 4K restored Trick ‘r Treat and I have to admit, I hadn’t seen the actual film before. I know, I know, I’m a horror guy, how on Earth had I not seen Trick ‘r Treat? I did a huge horror rewatch during lockdown and have continued ever since and I somehow passed over it every time. I even mentioned to a friend over the summer I hadn’t seen it and was considering buying it to finally get it done. Well thanks to Arrow, I’m finally able to check it off the To-Do list.

I think one of the reasons I always skipped it was I’m not a huge fan of anthology films. I must have written this off as just another anthology film ala V/H/S and the like. After watching it I discovered it was different. Yes it tells different stories from different people, but all the stories interconnect in the same town and have one character watching over all of them, Sam. That’s the funniest part of never seeing Trick ‘r Treat, I still knew who Sam was because he’s become such a Halloween/horror icon since the film’s release. The film and Sam have become cult icons so I knew of Sam, just hadn’t seen the film he starred in.

I now understand why it’s grown such a following. It has fun kills, plenty of gore, none of the individual stories go where you expect them to go and it’s filled with solid actors like Anna Paquin, the underrated Leslie Bibb, and the brilliant Brian Cox. Unlike normal anthology films that tend to have one or two good stories and one or two bad stories, with all of the stories connecting in this film none feel better/more important than the others. Sam is there watching over them whether it’s a couple taking down their Halloween decorations too early, kids telling an urban legend about a bus killing kids, hot women being more than what they seem or the dad type probably being a killer.

Plus this 4K release is packed with great bonus features. Brian Cox narrates a history of Halloween/Samhain. Filmmaker Michael Dougherty has all kinds of interviews, featurettes and more on the making of the film, the design of Sam, the town and costuming, deleted scenes with Dougherty doing commentary on why they were deleted or trimmed and so much more. It’s a fantastic collection for fans of the movie.

I finally understand why Trick ‘r Treat has become a recent Halloween must-watch for people. Sam is a great icon for the genre and holiday and the film has great effects and gore. If you enjoy the film the bonus features will keep you entertained long after the movie. For fans and collectors this is a must own.

Bonus Features:

  • 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
  • Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films, approved by writer-director Michael Dougherty
  • 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Archival audio commentary by Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins and composer Douglas Pipes
  • Becoming Sam, a brand new interview with actor Quinn Lord
  • The Devil is in the Details, a brand new interview with production designer Mark Freeborn
  • If Looks Could Kill, a brand new interview with director of photography Glen MacPherson
  • Designs to Die for, a brand new interview with costume designer Trish Keating
  • Bark at the Moon, a brand new interview with creature designer Patrick Tatopoulos
  • Mark Freeborn Remembers Bill Terezakis, a new tribute to the late make-up effects designer
  • Tales of Folklore & Fright, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty, Breehn Burns and Simeon Wilkins
  • Tales of Mischief & Mayhem: Filming Trick ‘r Treat, an archival interview with Michael Dougherty on the making of the film
  • Sounds of Shock & Superstition: Scoring Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Douglas Pipes
  • Tales of Dread & Despair: Releasing Trick ‘r Treat, an archival featurette with Michael Dougherty and Rob Galluzzo of the Shock Waves podcast, exploring the film’s release and fandom
  • Season’s Greetings, a short film from 1996 directed by Michael Dougherty with optional director commentary
  • The Lore and Legends of Halloween, an archival featurette narrated by actor Brian Cox
  • School bus VFX comparison
  • Deleted and alternate scenes with optional commentary by director Michael Dougherty
  • FEARnet promos
  • Sam O’Lantern
  • Storyboard and conceptual artwork gallery
  • Behind the scenes gallery
  • Monster Mash comic book set in the Trick ‘r Treat universe
  • Trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck
  • Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck
  • Six postcard-sized artcards
  • Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Becky Darke and Heather Wixson
  • Brand new audio commentary with writer-director Michael Dougherty moderated by James A. Janisse & Chelsea Rebecca from Dead Meat Podcast

Leave a comment